Shivam Dube continues to showcase his growing proficiency against pace bowling as he smashed a rapid 65 off 23 against New Zealand during the 4th T20I in Vizag on Thursday night.
The India all-rounder attributed
this improvement to a better “mindset,” which he believes has made him a “smarter” cricketer.
While Dube’s 29-run assault on leg-spinner Ish Sodhi grabbed headlines, his three sixes against pacers Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry were equally significant. This performance demonstrated that Dube is no longer easily subdued by pace bowlers, posing a new challenge for opposing teams in their strategic planning.
For Dube, the key to his improvement has been the consistent opportunities he has received in top-level cricket. At the post-match press conference, he stated, “It’s just the hard work I’m putting in. Playing regularly in these matches and situations has improved my mindset. I now understand what to expect from bowlers and how to respond.”
In the ongoing series, Dube has also been entrusted with more bowling responsibilities, although he didn’t bowl in this match as India relied on their five main bowlers, with even Hardik Pandya not getting a chance to bowl.
Dube credited Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav for giving him these opportunities, saying it has made him a more astute cricketer. “Bowling has made me smarter, and I’m working on developing additional skills,” he added.
Dube acknowledged that regular game time has significantly enhanced his cricketing intelligence in recent months. “I’ve worked hard and been given the chance to bowl and bat in various match situations. Experience plays a crucial role, and it’s paying off. Players and teams constantly upgrade themselves, and I strive to be smarter and better in each game.”
Dube’s increased comfort against fast bowlers has helped him apply more pressure on the opposition. “It’s important to match up against both spinners and fast bowlers. My role is to keep the strike rate high in the middle overs, which I always aim to do. Understanding my strengths and targeting them appropriately is key.”
Reflecting on his rapid 15-ball fifty, the third fastest in T20Is after Yuvraj Singh (12) and the duo of Abhishek Sharma and Colin Munro (14), Dube explained his approach. “As a batsman, I don’t focus on the number of balls. I concentrate on each delivery and play it on merit, rather than aiming for a specific milestone.”
Dube also discussed his aggressive approach against Ish Sodhi in the 12th over, explaining his strategy to maintain a high strike rate in the middle overs. “I managed my skills and stayed ready for the bad ball, knowing that even good bowlers can be under pressure. My intention was to dominate, and I achieved that,” he said.
